Bulbs for outdoor lights

badger09

I want 2 up & down dusk to dawn outside lights to replace old fashioned lanterns. I’ve found the lights but struggling to grasp lumens/watts.
I need 2 x GU10 LEDs per light & AI tells me I don’t need dimmable. Product says max 7W

I think 345lumen will be bright enough but, looking at Screwfix, do I buy 3.6W 4.2W 4.6W or 6.2W? Or something else completely?

Sorry if my question is dim😊

EssexExile

It really depends what you want the lights to do. If they need to illuminate a path they need to be bright, if they are just for show they don't.

If all those bulbs are about the same lumens then go for the lowest power.

I hope that's enlightening.😁

badger09

Thank you. There is some glimmer at the end of the tunnel.
They’re dual purpose really. To make the outside more welcoming but also so we can see to unlock front door on the rare occasions we’re out at night. There is a street light not too far away so it’s never pitch black, but not bright enough to find the lock.

victor2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003203#Comment_82003203

Depends how close to the door the lights are going to be. I have a 1000 lumen 10W spot on the wall by our driveway and it provides just enough light to see to unlock the door. It literally floods the driveway with bright light so that visitors can easily see their way! It's PIR triggered as I certainly wouldn't want the driveway permanently lit with such a strong light. It's roughly equivalent to a good old 80W bulb, but "daylight" coloured.

Rodders53

Colour temperature and GU10 beam angle may be more important than lumens per se… 345 lumens is circa 40Watts in old money… but a narrow beam angle = a small bright spot cf a wide (flood) angle spreading light over a larger area.

6500 K(elvin) is very blue white (daylight), 2700 K is warm white (incandescent lamp style)… Blue can be glaring and 'cold' vs the warmer welcoming 2700-3000 K.

So very careful lamp selection is needed which depends on the luminaire and its position (height and distance) from said keyhole.

badger09

Thanks all.
I’ve ordered the lights & when added to basket it came up with ‘you may also be interested in’ the 345lumen 3.6W bulbs so I added them. Given there will be 2 lamps fairly close together, each with an up & down light, hopefully they will provide enough light. If not, I’ll have to buy brighter bulbs, or use light on my phone.